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REGION - 3 : THE CENTRAL PLAINS OF LUZON

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Central Luzon region contains the largest plain of the Philippines and produces most of the country's rice supply. That is why it is called the Rice Bowl of the Philippines. Its provinces are: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. There are twelve cities which include: Balanga from Bataan; Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose from Nueva Ecija; Olongapo from Zambales; Angeles and San Fernando from Pampanga; San Jose del Monte and Malolos from Bulacan; and Tarlac from Tarlac. The City of San Fernando, in Pampanga, is the regional center. Aurora was transferred from Region IV by Executive Order No. 103.

POINTS OF INTEREST	PROVINCES	TOWNS / CITIES
.	AURORA    Aurora is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Baler and borders, clockwise from the south, the provinces of Quezon, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela. To the east of Aurora is the Philippine Sea. Before 1979, Aurora was part of the province of Quezon. Aurora was, in fact, named after Aurora A. Quezon, the wife of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, the president of the Philippine Commonwealth, after whom the mother province was named.	Municipalities Baler Casiguran Dilasag Dinalungan Dingalan Dipaculao Maria Aurora San Luis
,	BATAAN    Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north. The peninsula faces South China Sea to the west and encloses its arm, Manila Bay, to the east. Bataan is famous in history as one of the last stands of American and Filipino soldiers before they were overwhelmed by the Japanese forces in World War II. The Bataan Death March was named for this province, where the infamous march started.	City Balanga City Municipalities Abucay Bagac Dinalupihan Hermosa Limay Mariveles Morong Orani Orion Pilar Samal
.	BULACAN    Bulacan is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. It has two cities: Malolos City (the capital) and San Jose del Monte City. Bulacan is located immediately north of Metro Manila. Bordering Bulacan are the provinces of Pampanga to the west, Nueva Ecija to the north, Aurora and Quezon to the east, and Rizal to the south. Bulacan also lies on the northern shore of Manila Bay. Bulacan figures prominently in Philippine History. Many national heroes and political figures were born in Bulacan. The province was also one of the first to revolt against Spain. Bulacan is most noted for being the capital of the first Philippine Republic in the now city of Malolos as well as its Malolos Constitution.	Cities Malolos City San Jose del Monte City Municipalities Angat Balagtas (Bigaa) Baliuag Bocaue Bulacan Bustos Calumpit Doña Remedios Trinidad Guiguinto Hagonoy Marilao Meycauayan Norzagaray Obando Pandi Paombong Plaridel Pulilan San Ildefonso San Miguel San Rafael Santa María
.	NUEVA ECIJA    The province is the largest in Central Luzon. Its terrain begins with the southwestern marshes near the Pampanga border. It levels off and then gradually increases in elevation to rolling hills as it approaches the mountains of Sierra Madre in the east, and the Caraballo and Cordillera ranges in the north.	Cities Cabanatuan City Gapan City Palayan City San Jose City Science City of Muñoz Municipalities Aliaga Bongabon Cabiao Carranglan Cuyapo Gabaldon (Bitulok & Sabani) General Mamerto Natividad General Tinio (Papaya) Guimba Jaén Laur Licab Llanera Lupao Nampicuan Pantabangan Peñaranda Quezon Rizal San Antonio San Isidro San Leonardo Santa Rosa Santo Domingo Talavera Talugtug Zaragoza
Birdwatch enthusiasts at Candaba Swamp in Pampanga                 .	PAMPANGA    Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is The City of San Fernando. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast. Pampanga also lies on the northern shore of Manila Bay. The name "Pampanga" was given by the Spaniards who found the early natives living near the river banks. The word "Pangpang" means river bank. Its creation in 1571 makes it the oldest among the seven provinces of Central Luzon. The Province of Pampanga enjoys the distinction of being known as the Culinary Center of the Philippines. Pampanga is served by the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, which is located in Clark Field some 16 kilometers north of the provincial capital.	Cities Angeles City City of San Fernando Municipalities Apalit Arayat Bacolor Candaba Floridablanca Guagua Lubao Mabalacat Macabebe Magalang Masantol Mexico Minalin Porac San Luis San Simon Santa Ana Santa Rita Santo Tomas Sasmuan
.	TARLAC	City Tarlac City Municipalities Anao Bamban Camiling Capas Concepcion Gerona La Paz Mayantoc Moncada Paniqui Pura Ramos San Clemente San Jose San Manuel Santa Ignacia Victoria
.	ZAMBALES    Zambales lies on the western shores of Luzon island between the Zambales Mountains and the South China Sea. Its shoreline is very ragged and features many coves and inlets. Subic Bay, in the southernmost part of the province provides a natural harbor, and was chosen as the location of an American naval base. The peak of Mount Pinatubo lies on the intersection of the boundaries between Zambales, Pampanga, and Tarlac. This volcano, once considered dormant, erupted violently in 1991.	City Olongapo City Municipalities Botolan Cabangan Candelaria Castillejos Iba Masinloc Palauig San Antonio San Felipe San Marcelino San Narciso Santa Cruz Subic